SURVIVED OUR FIRST HURRICANE SEASON!

First of all - our hearts go out to all of those on the East Coast who were affected by Hurricane Sandy and other storms that have hit the East Coast this season.  Our prayers are with the millions were affected as they continue to deal with the aftermath.

All of our friends told us we weren't thinking clearly when we left the Chesapeake Bay in April for our journey down the ICW- "Who would cruise down the ICW to Florida just prior to hurricane season?"  I have to say - when Ed suggested it and others shared their thoughts - I was very nervous.  But living aboard with Ed has taught me so much these last two years.  You respect Mother Nature and always remain cognizant of weather not just where you are - but in our case, living aboard in Florida - we are always watching any tropical storm that is forming off the coast of Africa or the Caribbean.   We were very lucky this year -- if we had still been in Maryland, we would have suffered more high winds and tides from the Hurricanes and storms that hit the East Coast.  Our friends back at the marina we left were spared from heavy damage - but the devastation in NY and NJ was truly sad.  Yes -- we survived this Hurricane Season -- but that doesn't mean we will let our guard down for the years to come.

S/V Liberty

We have several friends who set sail the first of November to begin the trek South -- Our friend Joel left the beginning of November on S/V Liberty (he lives aboard his beautiful used sailboat in Maryland  - he bought a few years ago - a 42' Hunter) - Unfortunately, he fell at the Coinjock marina in NC and had to abort his planned journey - he's not certain if he will try again when his knee heals this year - but definitely will be heading south next year.

Another couple from our Maryland marina has made excellent time on their gorgeous 43' Beneteau, S/V Sloop John Dee, - they have had quite an experience coming down the ICW - they are already in Charleston!  It sure makes Ed rethink if he'd like to go back to a used sailboat.

Joy & Walt of S/V Joy of Tahoe

Our friends who live aboard their beautiful 44' Lagoon Catamaran (S/V Joy of Tahoe) (originally they were from Lake Tahoe)- have also pulled up their anchor after 3 years in Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay and are heading south too.  They left 6 days ago and are already in Charleston, SC.   They are mostly doing bluewater sailing because of their 75' mast height and their desire to actually sail and not motor all the way.  There are several fixed bridges of 65' and you are limited on the ICW.  We love seeing this migration - we sure miss them.  We know they will miss the friends they have made in Maryland - but that is the beauty of being a liveaboard - you can change your surroundings whenever the bug bites - your destination can be anywhere you choose - without having to sell or pack everything - just pull up the anchor and head for a new destination!  We cannot wait til they all get here!  Joy and Walt were the couple that joined us the first two weeks on our journey in April and Ed spoke of his sailing experiences and the joys of bluewater sailing vs the ICW - Joy told Ed yesterday - she can totally understand that sense of exhilaration of the open sea he spoke of.

Jan & Joy on S/V Joy of Tahoe

Ed on his 43' Swan sailboat on Passage to Caribbean

I can honestly say moving our used motor yacht, M/V JJFlyGirl, was definitely worth it - even though there have been lonely times since the marinas in Florida don't have many liveaboards and we had no friends here when we first came.  But since we've been here - I have been blessed to meet a very special person with so much the same values and common interests.  We met at a doctor's office in Boca Raton and found we only live less than a mile away from each other.  She has introduced me to her special friends from high school - since she grew up in this area - as well as is teaching me to play tennis and working out together.  I have also met the wife of one of Ed's former colleagues and she is putting up with my golfing "skills"!  She and her husband are also boaters and liveaboard their used sailboat, a 38' Shannon (S/V Just Imagine) in the Mediterranean during the summer.

It is hard to believe that winter is almost here - we are relaxing on the aft deck with a glass of wine and a cold beer while our friends and family are suffering through some freezing nights.

Our 43' Swan during Winter Blizzard of 2010

Ed Loves Bluewater Sailing

Ed in Galley of S/V Joy of Tahoe

Paradise!!

So, here would be the appropriate time for me to put in a good word for my husband (Capt Ed of Paradise Yacht Sales) -- when you are ready to experience this adventure -- come for a visit anytime and experience this amazing lifestyle.  He can help you make your dreams come a reality so you, too, can be in Paradise!




Ed says if you are currently "tied" up at the dock and working your to-do lists - don't wait any longer - your list will never be completed!

It is an awesome lifestyle whether it is for the weekend or the summer or the entire year -- don't let life pass you by without having experienced the adventure of a lifetime - you, too, could be a cruiser or a liveaboard.

Cruising the Caribbean

BOAT OF THE WEEK!! 1985 58' CUSTOM FARR SAILBOAT

READY TO EXPERIENCE THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME??

LET'S GO CRUISING!!!!

We recently listed this Absolutely Gorgeous 1985 58' Custom Farr used sailboat. In 2005 she was re christened as S/V "TRIBUTE" by her current owners when they lived aboard her in Santa Cruz, CA and then set sail in 2007 as part of the Baja Haha Cruiser's rally and sailed her down the Pacific coast of the Americas, stopping in Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama. They went through the Panama Canal and cruised the western Caribbean, cruising Panama, Honduras, Belize, and Mexico. They ended up on the beautiful eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay in 2011 and she is now located in Southport, NC.


"TRIBUTE" was initially commissioned to be built by Dencho Marine in Long Beach, CA by avid sailboat racers who were looking to cruise around the world. "TRIBUTE" is a great example of a Custom Farr 58 - she has circumnavigated around the world. Her original design was commissioned to combine speed and comfort plus the ability for a couple to comfortably sail "her" anyplace. The desired center cockpit is very roomy and allows for a huge master stateroom with a queen berth. She has plenty of storage for long blue water passages! 'TRIBUTE' is capable of 200+ miles per day and has been continuously upgraded and is ready for her next owners to continue any voyage in ultimate comfort

 Her basic design as a "custom" yacht was by famed Naval architect, Bruce Farr, and the interior was designed by famed NA Bob Smith.

"TRIBUTE" is considered Above Average.

To view all her specs and photos, 

visit her at Used 1985 Custom Farr Sailboat. 

You will be very impressed with this beautiful used sailboat so lovingly cared for by each of her previous owners!!


Call me today if you are ready to Set Sail Aboard "TRIBUTE"!!! She can be yours Today!!!

Can't kill an old workhorse ~~~ (Two Cycle Outboard!)

This story is out of sequence with the other blog postings, no reason, just came to mind.   I spent several years sailing all over the Caribbean on the old classic Swan 43.sailboat . . . I was living "the dream" ~~  living aboard my Swan!!   I think the year was 2004.

We left St Barts after and enjoyable 2 day stay....great food and shopping.   The morning we left was clear with some winds.   After we got into the open waters, the winds did pick up.....half way to St Kitts  the seas got pretty lumpy. Thumper took it all in stride. But we were towing the dingy, an old heavy Avon 10 foot RIB (rigid inflatable boat) , with a Tohatsu 18 hp outboard...one of the last 2 cycle workhorses.

Well, as we got nearer to St Kitts, the engine jumped off the transom !!   It had a tether so fortunately was not lost. I quickly de-powered the boat and jumped into the dingy.   Even with adrenalin flowing I could not lift the beast back onto the transom.   Sooooo, just continued on our way.  

At times the winds were full, and the engine's throttle handle would point straight up....the boat speed was not phased much. However, as we got into the lee of St Kitts, the OB (outboard) became one true sea anchor.  With no wind, the old Perkins did all it could to make 4 knots.  If I pushed any more the temp would creep up......but we finally made it into St Kitts marina, and into a nice slip.

Normally at many of the Caribbean Islands at that time were charging for potable water ~~~ water was definitely a premium.  We lucked out ~~ the water was free at that time.....I was tired after clearing customs, so left the engine in the water overnight.  

Next morning, with the assist of a halyard (a line that raises the sails), got it onto the transom.  Removed the two plugs and watched as sea water freely flowed out.   Took the carb  apart and removed the fuel lines and flushed them.   Flushed the engine with many gallons of fresh water...then fogged (lubricating it with oil or WD40) it all down.....took the carburetor apart, and found a syringe ~~ and using acetone, flushed it clean and dry.  The acetone cleans it and as it evaporates, it removes any and all moisture

Well, guess what ~~  the engine started after a few pulls and thankfully ran for many many years after that.

Word to the wise ~~ Clamping it to the transom and using through bolts will make it more secure.  So I did drill mounting bolts through the transom ~~ apparently, the engine clamps simply vibrated loose..

LIVE & LEARN!!!  

FACING TROPICAL STORM ISAAC~~

Last year (2011) we made the decision to head south from the Chesapeake Bay, after driving down in December to look for a liveaboard marina. We looked at a number of different areas, (Stuart, Ft Pierce, St Augustine) but decided on Lighthouse Point Marina just north of Fort Lauderdale.  

For many reasons, we chose to make the trip on our motor yacht in April. Our friends told us we were crazy to move JJFlyGirl this time of year. They said, “it would be too hot and what about all the hurricanes?” Well, as for the heat, it has been better here than in the Bay with the heat waves they have had this summer….  also, last year,
 we dodged Hurricane Irene in the Bay

Last week as we saw this tropical storm (TS) forming and the projected track, we decided to (with Jan's prompting) take precautions early .... I have been through several TS & hurricanes ....  But, Jan was new to all this and was quite nervous .... even though I told her everything would be fine.  She proceeded to find all the "checklists" ever written to prepare for hurricanes!

We began our preparations ... we filled the water tanks, made sure the genset was serviced, had extra batteries, flashlights, candles, battery powered radio, bottled water, food, and all our valuables were secured and we had a "ditch" bag.  Yes, we were prepared to "bail out" if the storm progressed to a Cat 2 . . .   We had the car stocked and one of Jan's new friends she met had her spare room in her condo ready for us.   And I definitely had "my" checklist filled - P/B sandwich & Beer !

Also, be sure to tie down the dinghy, and remove the drain plug if it's on the boat.  We tied the kayak up to the fence by the tennis court, and left the cockpit exposed so it would fill with rain water as a ballast ... Jan and I got out all the extra fenders and doubled dock lines and started to work on securing JJFlyGirl.  On the back side of our slip, there is an unused piling .... I moved the boat back (by hand) to get to the other pilings in order to get the second dock line on.  But, there was one we just could not reach with our boat hook .... and I just did not want to unplug the power cord ... I really thought we needed to keep the A/C's on!  So, as Jan was stretching off the stern with the extra line on the end of the boat hook, a good Samaritan (Phil from Philadelphia) came by with his runabout and easily go the line around the piling .... (he said he saw our hailing port ~ Annapolis~ and just had to stop and help) ... as with most situations like this I have found people seem to come together and help one another.  

 This old Hatters used motor yacht has 3 staterooms, and 3 heads with showers….all the wines were stowed in the middle shower stall on the floor….all the “stuff” came down from the fly bridge, and the bimini was removed.   I was planning to remove all the vinyl curtains from the aft sun deck…however, as the storm never did get to hurricane strength, we decided to leave them up…if you are facing a hurricane and have to decide whether to remove the vinyl curtains ..... make sure there is NO bad stitching on the zippers.   Once the wind finds a bad spot, they will just tear apart …. we experienced this on JJFlyGirl already .... we have been having the panels re-sewn as we find degraded stitching. Well we were all set .... most preparations on the checklist complete before any rains or winds .... what a relief to see the forecast show the storm moving west .... now to wait it out!!   

  

LIVING ABOARD WITH FELINES!

This is written by a guy that was brought up with dogs and has always been, and always will be, a true dog lover. I have even passed that love on to my two adult children ~~ my son, Rob and his wife have 4 dogs ~~ and my daughter, Nikki, was on a short passage with us on our ICW Journey in May of this year and in Coinjock, NC, the animals just flocked to her!  

Nikki - Coinjock Marina

CHEYENNE

CHEROKEE

And then I met Jan, my bride of two years now, and she had two cats ~~ Cheyenne and Cherokee ~~ (she calls them her babies) 
GUESS YOU CAN SEE WHERE THIS IS GOING

At first, we were livingaboard our classic Swan sailboat (S/V Thumper). "Thumper" just had no space for anything extra ~~ especially cats!!!  

But, when we bought our motor yacht, the classic Hatteras 53, we now had room for clothes, shoes AND cats ~~~ yes, two long-haired rescue cats, named Cheyenne and Cherokee. They were about 13 years old and sisters.  

CHEYENNE RELAXING IN JJ FLYGIRL GALLEY

Taking care of
Beethoven  & Mozart

I knew nothing about cats . . . While I lived on the Swan as a bachelor, a dock mate liveaboard on a 42' Hatteras motor yacht asked me to watch his two new Maine Coon kittens (Beethoven & Mozart) over a weekend . . . "Sure, no problem", I said. Well, the first morning I went onboard to feed them and clean the litter box . . . as I started to scoop things up, these huge, heavy lumps came up ~~ I asked myself, how is this possible with two tiny kittens ~~ so, I called the owner and he had a good belly laugh and explained how the “lumping” litter works…..amazing stuff I thought . . .

So, Jan did move her two babies onboard "JJ Flygirl" . . . we found a spot for the litter box, out of the way, and cat-proofed the boat . . . I even went so far as to have some custom covers made by the stern line access cleats, and even purchased the smallest PFD for animals . . . The first time we put it on ~~ it was like watching a bucking bronco at the Calgary Stampede !!! We decided that we just need to insure they could NOT get out the door . . . well, unfortunately, one day Cherokee (the less social friendly) cat did get out and was lost . . .

CHEROKEE

Cheyenne is still with us and is a pleasure to have . . . She is very loveable! On occasion she does venture out onto the foredeck, usually at night when the sun is not as bright. She simply wanders around the deck . . . Yes, this is under our supervision . . . But Just in case, we purchased a very long-handled net . . . so far have not used it . . . As with all living things, she needs care, shots, and lots of love. We feel we can leave her alone onboard for a few days . . . not so with a dog. 

CHEYENNE RULES!!!

Oh, also, cats do at times spit hairballs up, (especially if they have long hair) but modern foods have some property to reduce this . . . yes, I have discovered cats do need some attention ~~ But over the past two years, she has become my Buddy!!! And I can say ~~ the rewards are definitely worth it . . . . You be the judge ~~
Adopt a Kitten!!! 
(Guarantee they will keep Elephants away!)
Captain Ed

ALWAYS TAKE TIME FOR SUNSETS!

Alway take time for Sunsets ~~

Nothing Better than relaxing on the aft deck of our motor yacht, "JJFlyGirl", with a refreshing ice-cold Mojito and romantic Andre' Bocelli music (Jan's favorite) and a Most Beautiful Florida Summer Sunset!

Ahhhhh . . . mid August . . .  summer is coming to a close . . . Oh, wait . . .  we are in Florida now - haven't figured out when summer begins and ends - it's like being on vacation 365 days a year!  The Life of Living Aboard is a wonderful relaxing way of life -- We're always ready to share how you, too, can Live this Life of Living Aboard!  It's not all that different - but oh so rewarding!

All are welcome to come visit us here in Sunny Florida and experience the "dream"!

Capt ED

"Classic" Hatteras Fuse Box ~ Living Aboard requires all your "senses"!

Classic 53 Hatteras - Our Own "JJFlyGirl"

Good Morning . . . It has been a HECTIC few months for Jan and I since our Journey down the ICW ~~ We are now focused on catching up on our blog ~~ weekly ~~ so STAY TUNED!

Classic 43' Swan

Two years ago we went from our 43' Swan Used Sailboat to our 53' Hatteras Used Motor Yacht .  She is the Classic 1975 Hatteras 53 MY.   After bluewater sailing for many years.....one 4th of July, we were partying with another liveaboard at HHS Marina in North Beach, MD.  We were  amazed with the spaciousness of "Kelly B" - his Hatteras '53 Used Motor Yacht & we fell in love with the it.   All that space, a staircase leading to the lower level where we found 3 staterooms, 3 heads, washer/dryer, and a full-size galley - complete with side-by-side refrigerater, stove with ceran cooktop and microwave, 4 A/C units, 2 walk-in engine rooms -- It simply had all the "creature comforts" and more! 

Hatteras Fuse Box

So, we began our quest for a Hatt 53 Used Motor Yacht ....the first one we looked at in Dataw Island, S.C. needed much restoration, and when I went "snooping" around the engine room, I noticed there had been a minor fire that originated at the fuse box.....Hmmm, not good; so this boat was NOT a  candidate.

But after much research, we finally found our 53' Hatteras on the Great Lakes in Toledo, Ohio . . . After living aboard for a year, I began to notice slight power fluctuations, and the 50 amp fuses would blow -- even though the loads were fairly light.   There was a distinct smell of burning wire, and loss of one phase of input power . . . after placing the shore power cord on the other side

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE!!!

CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

JULY 4TH!!   ....... always has special meaning to All Americans -- and sharing it with family and friends makes it all the more special -- Even when living aboard a used motor yacht at a marina!!!   Ed and I were married on July 3rd, 2010 at Herrington Harbour South Marina in North Beach, Maryland - What a Celebration they have for the 4th! -- Complete with Fireworks and games all day for the kids and the local politicians and the owner speaking about our Wonderful Country - America -- music all day long and at the end of the jetty flies Beautiful "Old Glory" and, of course, "God Bless America" is sung by everyone - and after the fireworks - everyone gives their applause from their boats for the evening celebrations with long blaring of their horns!!! 

Last year - Independence Day - 2011 - the entire marina 
was lively with dock parties celebrating the occasion and all the boat owners would prepare a special dish and all the boat owners and their guests would visit and sample everyone's dish.  This was our first year on our 53' Hatteras used motor yacht . My sister, Sherri, the Infamous Event/ Wedding Planner came up from Alabama with my nephew, Daniel, and we all set about preparing our tasty treats for everyone!  

 My sister and I had been planning for a few weeks and even had a sign made featuring "Southern Shrimp & Grits" 
                                                                                                               Doing it in Style when Sherri is around, we had every topping you could think of for the Grits, from Shrimp, Andalouie sausages, carmelized onions, Pesto, capers, hot sauce,       Cheeses, and more  - 
you created your own!  
That was a Huge Success!   We also created these Festive Strawberries - using white chocolate and blue sprinkles - boy were they yummy. (Even Captain Ed helped out with the strawberries - although I wonder how many he ate - ha!  No wonder we had to keep making more !!)    Then we topped off the menu with Drunken Watermelon Balls and Tangy Lemonade!  A good time was had by all ~ and we met many of our new neighbors as that was our first year on K Dock since we purchased our Hatteras used motor yacht.  Previously we were on F Dock in our 43' Swan used sailboat!!!  (Anyone interested in these yummy recipes, just comment at the bottom of this post!!)

 

We even got our Logbook out we had used for our wedding guest register and had all our visitors sign - so we could get to know everyone!  It was such great fun!

 

 But then as the cold weather started to return in the Fall - that is when we made the decision to leave this amazing marina and started planning our ICW Journey to Florida to our next Home!  We will definitely miss that wonderful Marina on the Chesapeake Bay!  But at least we made some lifelong friends while we were there for three years!  Ahhhhh the beauty of being a Liveaboard!!!  WE LOVE IT!     


Happy 4th!!!
First Mate -- Jan